FIGHT-CancER offers evidence-based, co-created information and resources to help transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex people and their healthcare providers understand cancer prevention, prepare for consultations, and find relevant services.
This website was developed as part of the FIGHT-CancER research project, led by by Thomas More University of Applied Sciences and the University of Antwerp. Researchers, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders worked together to improve access to cancer prevention services for transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex people in Flanders.
What do we offer?
- Practical guidance on cancer prevention for transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex people (TGDI+), supporting informed choices based on individual needs and preferences.
- Professional resources for healthcare providers to deliver personalized, gender-inclusive cancer prevention care, including guidelines and materials to strengthen knowledge and communication.
Why is this project necessary?
A visit to the doctor should be simple: you seek medical advice, and a trained healthcare provider ensures you receive the care you need. But for many transgender, gender-diverse and intersex people, healthcare experiences are often more complex. Instead of focusing solely on their health, they may find themselves needing to explain their bodies and needs, correct misinformation, or even justify their right to medical attention.
- TGDI+ people may have limited access to clear, relevant information and appropriate services, making it more difficult to engage in cancer prevention.
- Many healthcare professionals receive little or no training in gender-inclusive preventive care, which can make it harder to provide accurate information and appropriate recommendations. This is not a matter of individual neglect, but of systemic shortcomings in education and support.
- Although effective cancer screening programs designed to catch cancer early are available, systems that base eligibility and invitations on legal gender registration can create additional barriers. For example, only people legally registered as female receive invitations for breast and cervical cancer screening. This can leave out people who need screening, while others may receive invitations that do not apply to them, causing confusion or discomfort.
Why does it matter?
Cancer risk depends on the organs and tissues a person has, rather than their legal gender registration. Breast cancer can affect anyone with a significant amount of breast glandular tissue, whether it developed during puberty or through hormonal theraphy. Cervical cancer can affect anyone with a cervix, especially people who have not been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV).
When health systems do not reflect these individual needs, people may miss important opportunities for cancer prevention and early detection. This is not a bureaucratic issue, but an important public health concern that requires inclusive and feasible solutions.
How do we approach this?
Built around the voices of transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex people, this website was co-created with many diverse stakeholders, including researchers, healthcare professionals and advocacy groups. Its mission is to make cancer prevention clearer, more accessible, and inclusive.
The lived experiences of transgender, gender-diverse and intersex people are at the very core of this project. Our approach combines research, collaboration, and practical tools.
To achieve this, we are:
- Collecting data through a large-scale survey to better understand the experiences of transgender, gender-diverse and intersex people with access to cancer prevention in Flanders, on area where reliable data is still limited.
People aged 18 or older who are transgender, gender-diverse, or intersex and live in Flanders are invited to share their experiences: TAKE THE SURVEY. - Conducting interviews and focus groups with transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex people as experts by experience, as well as healthcare professionals, to gain deeper insight into their experiences, perspectives, needs, and barriers.
- Working with a broad network partners and community members to ensure that our findings are relevant, inclusive, and grounded in real-world needs.
Who is responsible for the project?
This project is led by Thomas More University of Applied Sciences and the University of Antwerp, and recieved funding from Kom op tegen Kanker (Stand up against Cancer).
Many partners are actively involved, including gender-affirming care clinics in Antwerp, Ghent, and Genk, Domus Medica, Violett, Çavaria, Genderspectrum, Antwerp Queer Club and other community members, to ensure that our findings are relevant, inclusive, and grounded in real-world needs.
Were does this information apply?
FIGHT-CancER was developed for Flanders (Belgium), and includes information specific to its healthcare system and available services. However, much of the broader information may also be useful elsewhere.
We recommend to always check local guidelines or speak with a healthcare provider, as guidelines and access to services may differ.
